NAIDOC Round at the WAFL

The West Australian Football League, in partnership with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Department of Sport and Recreation, will celebrate the significance of Aboriginal players when WAFL NAIDOC Round is held this Saturday, July 9.

All WAFL clubs playing in the Round will wear uniforms designed by local Aboriginal artists to represent the heritage of the clubs and their Aboriginal players.

A NAIDOC football designed by Richard Walley and featuring the family names of some of the great Aboriginal players that have played in the WAFL will be used for NAIDOC Round games. Special guests and activities will also feature at WAFL games to mark the Round.

WAFL General Manager Steve Hargrave said NAIDOC Week was a terrific opportunity for the competition to celebrate the magnificent contribution of Aboriginal players to the game, from the community level right through to the elite.

“Some of Western Australia’s most talented players of all time are Aboriginal and football is very fortunate to have had such a long and proud association with Aboriginal people,” Hargrave said.

“Again this year, WAFL clubs will wear Aboriginal themed jumpers throughout NAIDOC Round. We would like to thank the Department of Aboriginal Affairs for funding these jumpers and the Department of the Prime Minster and Cabinet for their support.”

NAIDOC Round at the WAFL coincides with National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week celebrations from July 3 to 10, which are held annually across Australia to celebrate the heritage, achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

WAFL clubs Claremont and South Fremantle initiated WAFL NAIDOC Round in 2007 when they wore jumpers designed by Aboriginal artist Richard Walley. The initiative was embraced by the entire competition in 2009, with all WAFL clubs wearing uniforms featuring Aboriginal artwork during the round.

The NAIDOC football was also introduced in 2015.

2016 NAIDOC Round Fixtures

Saturday, July 9

Swan Districts v East Perth

2.15pm at Steel Blue Oval – live on HFM 107.3fm

Perth v Subiaco

2.15pm at Lathlain Park – live on KIX Digital & ABC 720am

Peel Thunder v West Perth

2.15pm at Bendigo Bank Stadium – Sport FM 91.3fm

South Fremantle v Claremont

2.40pm at Fremantle Oval – live on 7Mate